Dangerous Beauty (1998)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Simply A Masterpiece

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

A star crossed lover in Reformation Venice has no choice but to become a courtesan, but when the moralists fix her in their sights who will come to her defence? A helluva story struggling to burst out of this production. We're consciously in Shakespeare territory, with some witty exchanges between the lovers and their peers, delivered in metrical dialogue. The lovers' dilemma is presented with aching charm, and the sets and costumes give lavish support to a story that is well performed. But it doesn't work.While the cinematography is skillful, the tone is too bright and flat, leaving the feel of a TV production. The erotic scenes are tastefully dull, and the music swells through every moment with lush romanticism, punctuated by impish montages. As the story proceeds the number of scenes with the script direction ALL LAUGH increases, and the motivations of the characters fall flat. The final showdown is childishly embarrassing. No idea where they went wrong, although I suspect the director/producer is to blame.Overall: Oil is to water as fairy tale is to tragedy.

the grace is its basic virtue. the inspired manner to translate the spirit of a period in inspired form and to define the dispute between two institutions, symbols of different science to understand life.it is a drama who use, with great talent, the humor and the light of costumes, acting, sensuality and literature. but the splendid ingredient remains Venice. because it is a story of a city and its force, seduction art, dark side. the second interesting thing is the performance of Catherine McCormack who does a rare role for the admirable talent to explore each of its possibility. portrait of a society, it is not exactly historical. maybe for the precious balance between an easy story and a touching drama. for the courage to not be part of only genre. and, sure, for the end.

In 1583, Venice is the richest and most decadent city in Europe and its women are treated like property and few even knew how to read. The youth and witty Veronica Franco (Catherine McCormack) and the wealthy Marco Venier (Rufus Sewell), who is the brother of her best friend Beatrice (Moira Kelly), are in love for each other, but her mother can not afford the dowry for their marriage. When Marco tells Veronica that they can not marry to each other because he should have a marriage of state and his parents would oppose due to their social differences, Veronica's mother Paola Franco (Jacqueline Bisset) tells her heartbroken daughter that she was a courtesan in the past, and now Veronica shall learn how to be a courtesan to support the family. The poetess Veronica becomes the most famous courtesan in Venice, loved by the powerful elite except Marcos. When the Turks threaten Cyprus, Veronica spends the night with King Henry (Jake Weber) and he gives the necessary ships to protect Cyprus. When the Inquisition comes to Venice, she is accused of witchcraft by the Church."Dangerous Beauty" is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever seen, and based on a true story. Catherine McCormack is extremely gorgeous and this is probably her best role along her career, with a stunning performance. This movie is quite perfect, with a wonderful story, excellent screenplay, magnificent direction, witty dialogs, a fantastic cast and awesome cinematography, set decoration and costumes in the environment of Venice in the Sixteenth Century. It is impressive how this movie excited me with the most different emotions and I have just included it in my list of favorites. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "Em Luta Pelo Amor" ("In Fight for Love")

This is one of my absolute favorite movies. It's Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice and a truly sensual film all in one. Catherine McCormack is such a wonderful actress. The movie makes me alternately laugh, cry and rejoice in her character's self assurance. ("I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats!") I'm so glad that it is a true story as well. You really feel that you know more about history and women's struggles and just plain sex after watching this film. I wish I could see Catherine McCormack in more films, though. Many other future and past stars were in this forgotten flick - Oliver Pratt, Jacquline Bissett, etc.Enjoy it!